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Wellness Program

Our Bridging Barriers to Newcomer Wellness Program provides wellness support to newcomers in Niagara who are experiencing language and other social barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services.

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Program Information

Our Wellness Program provides support to newcomers in Niagara who are experiencing language and other social barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services. This is done by providing one-on-one, group and anti-stigma counselling support to newcomers by registered social workers in the clients’ first language (Arabic, Spanish and Mandarin).

The program is also designed to provide stress relief to eligible newcomers who are experiencing unique challenges as a result of the cultural gaps that currently exist in newcomers accessing mental health services within the Region and provide a gateway for clients to access long-term or medical mental health attention if needed.

The WHO states that mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (World Health Organization 2019).

Mental Health Challenges:
Everyone faces events in their day to day life which, if not addressed, could challenge their mental health. Common challenges include:

  • Losses (loved ones, health, job)
  • Employment (loss, new, retirement)
  • Life events (wedding, pregnancy)
  • Housing
  • Relationships
  • Finances/Legal
  • Health

Positive Mental Health:
Mental Health affects how you think, feel and act. People with mental health are:

  • Resilient
  • Content
  • Self-confident

Achieving Mental Health:
Taking care of yourself includes being involved with activities that make you “feel good.” Ask us about:

  • Volunteering
  • Stress management
  • Social Support
Services We Offer
  • In-person one-on-one counselling appointments
  • Mental Health Chat-Line
  • Group Sessions
  • Art Therapy
Eligibility Requirements
  • Permanent Resident
  • Landed Immigrant
  • Intend-to-Land
  • Approved PR application
  • Convention Refugee
  • Live-in Caregiver

Non-Eligible individuals are eligible for 1 appointment (1 assessment and referral to appropriate service)


Newcomer Mental Health Chat Line – Newcomers of any status are eligible


Newcomer Mental Health Chat Line

ACCESS THE NEWCOMER MENTAL HEALTH CHAT LINE

Please click the red button in the bottom right corner of this page to access the mental health chat line.

Video Resources

What is Mental Health? (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish)

Mental Health and Immigration (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish)

Locations / Hours

St. Catharines

Mental Health Services: Monday to Friday | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Chat Line: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Off-Line Hours: If you contact the chat line on our offline days, we will respond to you on the next online day.

Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie

Available by appointment only

Interested in this program?

Please contact a team member for more information.

Team - Mental Health
Register

Resources

Mental Health Commission of Canada

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians.

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Mental Health Resources for Newcomers and Immigrants in Ontario

This website has mental health resources that may be of specific interest to immigrants and newcomers in Ontario.

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Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Information on addiction and mental health.

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The National Institute of Mental Health

The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.

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Newcomers to Canada: Support for mental health and well-being

Mental health refers to how we think, feel and behave. It is an important part of our overall health.

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50+ Program

Any immigrant to Canada, newcomer or oldcomer is welcome to join the 50+ Group.

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Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Program

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre's Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Program strives to address racism and other discriminations that impact the lives of our clients, staff, and community members.

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Care For Newcomer Children

Prepares newcomer children with English language and other school readiness skills. Runs concurrent with the centre’s English day classes.

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Community Connections

Community Connections brings together newcomers to Canada and established community residents for sharing and learning.

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Employment Services

As a newcomer to Canada, you may have questions about job searching and what you can do to find the job of your choice. Our employment services are available on-line and in-person; our team of specialists understand the job search needs of people new to Canada. We succeed when you succeed!‍

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English as a Second Language Classes

Our centre offers full time Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for adults of varying levels of language ability. Our LINC/ESL program facilitates students’ social, cultural and occupational integration into Canadian life.

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Healthcare Navigator Training Program for IEHPs

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre is launching a pilot Healthcare Navigator Training Program for IEHPs that will create a pool of trained professionals who can assist and advocate for newcomers to Canada when they access healthcare in Ontario. The project will assist healthcare employers in the delivery of newcomer healthcare, it will help newcomers learn to navigate Ontario’s complex healthcare services and it will assist IEHPs to overcome the significant barriers to workforce entry they experience.

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Migrant Workers Support Project (MWP)

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre (NFAMC) is pleased to launch a pilot program designed to support Migrant Workers across Niagara. The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre will work in partnership with The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) to provide migrant workers information, support and services so they can better navigate their time in Canada.

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Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education & Outreach Program

Our Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education & Outreach program provides information & education sessions to newcomers in Niagara so they have access to culturally and linguistically evidence-based information when it comes to COVID-19 & vaccines.

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Settlement Services

The Settlement Department assists newcomers to meet their immediate and longer-term settlement needs, including information and orientation to the community, referrals to community and social services, solution-focussed counselling and assistance with settlement plans.

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Skills Training Programs

Enhance your knowledge and upgrade your skills in a variety of topics including Workplace Health and Safety, Small Business Basics, Customer Service and more.

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Wellness Program

Our Bridging Barriers to Newcomer Wellness Program provides wellness support to newcomers in Niagara who are experiencing language and other social barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services.

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Youth Services

The youth program offers several opportunities for newcomer youth age 13 to 24 to get connected to the community.

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Our Mission

We celebrate and promote cultural, social and economic inclusion and well-being of all immigrants and newcomers.

Our Vision

We are a gateway to equitable, respectful and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.

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